Appointment of Census Digital and Recruitment Suppliers

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has announced it will partner with IT provider PwC Australia and workforce recruitment firm The Adecco Group to deliver key 2021 Census services.

Acting ABS Deputy Statistician Chris Libreri said the ABS has selected PwC Australia as its partner to build and operate the 2021 Census digital service, which includes the online form, website and online assistance to help people complete the Census.

The Adecco Group will recruit 30,000 temporary field staff, who play an important role in helping people to lodge their Census.

“After rigorous selection processes, the appointments of PwC Australia and The Adecco Group are major milestones in delivering a safe, secure and high-quality 2021 Census for all Australians,” Mr Libreri said.

“PwC Australia brings to the 2021 Census a wealth of experience in managing and protecting sensitive personal information across the government, banking, superannuation and health sectors.

“Keeping people’s information secure and confidential is the highest priority for the ABS. It was a key factor in the digital services selection process and a critical consideration in the design of Census activities,” he said.

PwC will build and operate the solution on Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS was awarded PROTECTED certification by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) in January 2019. This enables Australian public and private sector organisations to store and process highly sensitive data at the PROTECTED security classification level.

The ABS and PwC Australia will work with critical agencies including the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Digital Transformation Agency to build a secure solution that manages the high demand anticipated for 2021 Census.

Mr Libreri said that while a majority of people will complete their Census online, field staff provide a vital personal connection to help ensure everyone can participate.

“The Adecco Group will work with the ABS to attract, assess and select our field staff in major metropolitan and regional areas right around the country,” he said.

The Adecco Group has been appointed for the 2021 Census in England and Wales, supported the 2015 Census in Japan, and staffed a number of Olympic Games. This, combined with its work across Australian Government, provides it with the relevant expertise for the large-scale recruitment of Census staff.